A new dog daycare, grooming and boarding business is officially moving ahead in Bonnyville following approval from council, with administration noting the application required extensive research and review.

The development permit allows a vacant commercial property to be converted into a full-service animal care facility, including daycare, grooming, retail and boarding services.

Administration told council the project is a first for the municipality, requiring additional due diligence.

“This is a first for us. So we do a scan of industry best practices… we reached out to multiple communities… as well as our partners at the SPCA.”

That research resulted in a detailed list of operating conditions focused on safety and accountability.

“We felt that they matched the industry best practices for making sure we have a duty of care for not just the staff but also the animals.”

The facility will include indoor daycare and training areas, a controlled space for smaller groups, and an outdoor fenced play area.

Council also clarified operational expectations, including staffing requirements when multiple animals are interacting.

The application received no objections from nearby property owners, with 13 adjacent landowners notified as part of the process.